I could eat Italian food every day. Give me a big bowl of pasta tossed with fresh tomato sauce and I’m one happy momma.

I can’t believe I worked as long as I did in the travel field, went all over the place, and never went to Italy. It was on my list of places to travel. Mr. Mother Thyme and I were even at one point looking at getting married in Tuscany. I had this wild idea of wanting to get married in the sunflower fields. That was probably back in the day I was in love with the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun.

One day I’ll get there, when the kiddos are older. In the meantime, I’ll live vicariously through my mom who just returned from Italy a few weeks ago. Sometimes the best way to enjoy another country is through food and you don’t even need to get a plane. It is a great way to enjoy other cultures from the spices used to the way is food is prepared. Food tells such a beautiful story and connects others to places they may never get to.

I was thrilled for this month’s Secret Recipe Club to have been assigned Manu’s Menu. Written by the talented Manuela, she takes us on a culinary journey with delicious recipes throughout Italy and beyond. Her mouthwatering photos make you hungry for more. One recipe after another looks incredible. From authentic Italian cuisine to a variety of other tasty recipes, Manu’s Menu is one blog you definitely want to follow.

I had the hardest time picking just one recipe to feature. Some of my favorites are Pasta with Creamy Broccoli and Pine Nut Sauce and Pesto Lasagne just to name a few. I settled on Gnocchi alla Sorrentina because I just couldn’t wait to try it. With a simple tomato sauce, and fresh mozzarella, melted and bubbly, what could be better? All you need is a fork to enjoy this authentic dish from Sorrento. Set the mood with little Andrea Bocelli playing in the background while you dine, and transport yourself to Italy with each delicious bite, no passport required.

Gnocchi alla Sorrentina

Print Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1.1 pound potato gnocchi, prepared per package instructions
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small whole onion, peeled
15 ounce can tomato puree
10 basil leaves
5.5 ounce fresh mozzarella
2.3 ounce Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add whole onion and and sauté for a couple minutes.
Reduce heat to low. Stir in tomato puree, half of the whole basil leaves and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until sauce thickens.
Remove onion. Cube 3 1/2 ounces of mozzarella and add to sauce. Stir until melted and sauce is smooth.
Roughly chop remaining basil leaves and add to sauce.
Stir in cooked gnocchi and 2 tablespoons Parmigiano Reggiano.
Heat oven broiler.
Grease 4 individual oven proof ramekins. Divide gnocchi between each ramekin. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano.
Place ramekins under broiler and and watch carefully until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Garnish with fresh basil and serve.

Notes

Adapted from Manu’s Menu

Spend more “thyme” with Mother Thyme.
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20 Comments

I love gnocchi, this looks absolutely mouthwatering!

What a great pick for SRC! I would love to have some of this for lunch today

I’ve never eaten gnocchi, but this recipe looks deliciously tempting (and easy). Mmmmm, I can almost taste that basil and cheesy goodness.

These look so cheesy and delish, have to make them for the fam!

This recipe looks amazing..the photos are making me salivate. I definitely need to attempt this one!

I would love to go to Italy one day…I love Italian food too. This sounds so wonderful, Jennifer!

Agreed- there are few things better in life than a big bowl of pasta. I too dream of travelling to Italy (and anywhere and everywhere). Until then I may have to make some of this pasta too

Oh how I love gnocchi but I’m totally with you and the pasta with tomato sauce. So simple but so delicious!

Instant drool. No joke! LOVE this recipe.

I feel the same! My 10 year anniversary and my 40th bday land on the same year and Italy is the goal! This recipe looks amazing and I was happily surprised to see how easy it looks too!